Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, . After ogling some gorgeous gems at a gem show (pre-pandemic.

Geode Bracelet

by Judy Freyer Thompson
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Texturing, Butane Torch Techniques, General Education
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
After ogling some gorgeous gems at a gem show (pre-pandemic...) I decided to purchase a mystery grab bag. Diving in I found some beautiful unfinished gems; raw garnet, raw amethyst, and a rough and beautiful geode piece. I really wanted to use it as a focal, therefore it will need to be captured in some form. I came up with this simple wire tab capture.

Materials

12 Gauge Round Dead Soft Copper Wire
H11-12D
  • Lesson Quantity: 12.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $2.35
  • Gold Club Price: $1.76
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18GA COPPER WIDE BRACELET BLANK, 2" X 6"
MET-120.62
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.80
  • Gold Club Price: $5.85
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Steel Bench Block 4x4 Inch - Pack of 1
G17-10
  • G17-10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $21.95
  • Gold Club Price: $16.46
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6PC File Set
FIL-912.10
  • FIL-912.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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Flat Face Chasing Hammer
HAM-161.00
  • HAM-161.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.97
  • Gold Club Price: $11.23
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Steel Round Smooth Bracelet Mandrel
G7-15
  • G7-15
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $39.97
  • Gold Club Price: $29.98
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GB2001 Self-Igniting Butane Micro-Torch
TRCH-GB2001
  • TRCH-GB2001
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $84.95
  • Gold Club Price: $63.71
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Fire Brick
SOL-485.00
  • SOL-485.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.96
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Copper Solder Paste, 1/2 ozt, Soft
SOL-824.10
  • SOL-824.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.95
  • Gold Club Price: $7.46
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Small Brass Brush
BRS-966.10
  • BRS-966.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $10.97
  • Gold Club Price: $8.23
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Liver of Sulphur Gel, 2 Ounce Bottle
SOL-610.02
  • SOL-610.02
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.95
  • Gold Club Price: $9.71
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Euro Tool Metal Hole Punch Pliers, 1.8 Millimeters
PLR-133.50
  • PLR-133.50
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $11.98
  • Gold Club Price: $8.98
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Auto Center Punch
PUN-430.00
  • PUN-430.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.97
  • Gold Club Price: $6.73
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Instructions
Step 1
Using the 600 grit sandpaper, clean the wire and the bracelet blank, if necessary.
Step 2
Cut a piece of paper the same size as the bracelet blank. Lay your chosen object on the paper, and decide where the best location for the wires to be situated in order to hold the object in place. Make a dot next to the object. This is where you will punch holes to thread the wires through from the backside.
Punch the holes in the paper using the punch pliers.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 3
Punch the holes in the paper at the four points where you want the prongs using the punch pliers.
Step 4
Lay the copper bracelet blank on the steel bench block. Using the auto center punch, transfer your markings to the copper bracelet blank.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 5
Using the punch pliers, punch 4 holes in the bracelet blank.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 6
Use the flush cutters, cut the 12 gauge wire into (2) 6" pieces.
Step 7
Grasp one end of the wire approximately 2" off the end with the flat nose pliers and make a 90° bend.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 8
Using round nose pliers, make a couple of decorative bends in the wire.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 9
Slide the wire through one hole and using a permanent marker, mark the wire for the second 90° bend. Remove the wire and make the bend with the flat nose pliers.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 10
Lay the wire on the steel bench block and flatten the decorative bends.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 11
Use the round side of the chasing hammer and your steel bench block, add some dimension to the bracelet blank.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 12
Install both wires through the bracelet blank and lay on your soldering brick, wire ends facing up.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 13
Apply solder paste per manufacturer's instructions or use copper wire solder to solder the wires where they come through the holes in the bracelet blank. You will notice that the blank is showing some nice colors, called flame painting.
Step 14
Using the flat file, clean up any rough edges on the bracelet, this will expose some of the copper below the flame painted surface, which will add another dimension.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 15
Bend the bracelet blank around the bracelet mandrel to form a cuff.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 16
Lay the object you are capturing inside the wires and pre-bend them.
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 17
Trim the wires then flatten the ends using the chasing hammer on the steel bench block. Wirejewerly_ GeodeBracelet _JFT_P13
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Step 18
Use round nose pliers to adjust the wires. Wirejewerly__JFT_P14
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet
Judy Freyer Thompson's Geode Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Texturing, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, , geode bracelet